Chapter 9 Public and Agency Involvement

California High-Speed Rail Authority November 2017 

Fresno to Bakersfield Section Page | 9-1 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS

9 Public and Agency Involvement

Pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the 

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) 

and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have conducted an extensive public and agency 

involvement program as part of the Fresno to Bakersfield Section environmental review process, 

including during the preparation of the August 2011 Draft Environmental Impact 

Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), the July 2012 Revised Draft EIR/

Supplemental Draft EIS, and the April 2014 Fresno to Bakersfield Section California High-Speed 

Train Final Project EIR/EIS. For more information, see the Fresno to Bakersfield Final EIR/EIS, 

Chapter 8.0. These efforts are consistent with the Authority’s emphasis on public and agency 

outreach throughout the development of the statewide high-speed rail system. This includes 

public involvement and outreach through meetings, presentations and materials, agency 

consultations, and notification and circulation of the Statewide Program EIR/EIS. For more 

information on this process, refer to the Statewide Program EIR/EIS. This Chapter focuses on the 

extensive public and agency outreach associated with the Fresno to Bakersfield Locally 

Generated Alternative (F-B LGA) Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS including the following efforts:

• Public involvement and outreach included: the preparation and distribution of informational

materials such as fact sheets; informational meetings, public and agency scoping meetings,

meetings with individuals and groups, as well as presentations; workshops regarding the F-B

LGA, and briefings to interested and/or affected stakeholders.

• Agency involvement included agency scoping meetings, an interagency working group,

meetings with agency representatives, and other agency consultation.

• Public and agency outreach included focused informational meetings and presentations.

In addition, the Authority posts meeting notices and public documents on its website. The site 

includes information about the high-speed rail (HSR), the proposed HSR route, the Authority’s 

2016 Business Plan, newsletters, press releases, board of directors meetings, recent 

developments, status of the environmental review process, Authority contact information, and 

related links. The Authority Board of Directors meetings are open to the public. In addition, the 

meeting agendas provide an opportunity for public comment on any public agenda item.

This Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS in its entirety has been posted on the Authority’s website as well 

as FRA’s website. In addition, the Authority published materials online (in English and Spanish) 

summarizing the purpose and contents of the document and how to participate in the public 

comment period. 

The Authority started holding statewide agency meetings in 2007 for the Fresno to Bakersfield 

project section. Public workshops, open houses, and other informational sessions were held, 

public comments were accepted, and draft documents were widely circulated. Details on public 

and agency outreach can be found in Chapter 8 of the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final 

EIR/EIS. Meetings and consultations with Native American Tribes have been ongoing. Further 

details can be found in Section 3.17.3.2 of the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final EIR/EIS. Table 

8-1 of the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final EIR/EIS lists the meetings held through March 

2014 as part of the lead agencies’ outreach effort. 

On May 7, 2014, the Authority certified the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final EIR, and approved 

the Preferred Alternative, including an alignment through Bakersfield known as the “Bakersfield 

Hybrid Alignment.” In its written complaint filed on June 5, 2014, the City of Bakersfield noted that 

the Preferred Alternative alignment identified in the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final EIR/EIS 

would severely impact the City's ability to utilize existing City assets including its corporation yard, 

senior housing, and parking facilities at the Rabobank Arena, Theatre, and Convention Center, 

would render unusable one of the City's premier health facilities, and would affect the Bakersfield 

Commons project, a retail/commercial/residential development. The City and the Authority 

entered into a Final Executed Settlement Agreement in December 2014. 
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The Final Executed Settlement Agreement identified several requirements for public and agency 

involvement over the course of the development of a locally generated alternative to the 

previously approved project. First, the Settlement Agreement required the City and the Authority 

to work together to identity the locally generated alignment and station location alternatives, and 

to co-sponsor two public workshops on the Locally Generated Alternative, ensuring public and 

agency input leading up to the preparation of this Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS. Also per the 

Settlement Agreement, the Authority has agreed to hold a public workshop at which oral public 

comments on the Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS would be taken; this meeting would take place in 

the City of Bakersfield and would include a court reporter to transcribe any public comments 

provided. Finally, the Authority has agreed that its Board of Directors meeting, where a final 

decision on the alignment/station location will be made, will be held in the City of Bakersfield to 

maximize public input opportunities for Bakersfield residents.

Throughout the Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS development process, some of the most frequently 

asked questions related to noise generation, property values, right-of-way acquisition, and 

construction employment opportunities. Project staff addressed these and other questions, often 

referring to the environmental analysis underway for this Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS and 

informing people of upcoming opportunities to provide comments. Those comments raised by the 

public have informed this Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS. When developing the F-B LGA, project 

staff also considered alternative alignments or design modifications that individuals and 

organizations had suggested. When questions could not be answered at a public meeting, 

outreach staff followed up with inquiring party(ies) or included the discussion as items to be 

addressed at future public meetings. 

The Authority awarded the HSR Station Planning Grant to the city of Bakersfield similar to other

HSR station cities. The purpose of the grant is to help Bakersfield prepare for the economic 

development and land use changes that could result from an HSR station within these cities. The 

City of Bakersfield and the Authority worked together to further the Station Area Plan, producing a 

Scope of Work consistent with Station Plans in other HSR station cities. The Bakersfield City 

Council approved the Station Area Planning grant funding from the Authority on August 12, 2015

(City of Bakersfield 2015), and on August 29, 2016, the City released the Notice of Preparation 

announcing the upcoming availability of an EIR for the Station Area Plan. 

9.1 Environmental Justice Outreach

The Authority conducted specific outreach efforts to low-income and minority populations and to 

communities of concern. The purpose of this outreach was to increase understanding of how the 

project may potentially affect these populations and how those effects could be minimized. 

Environmental justice populations were identified using year 2000 and 2010 data from the United 

States Census Bureau, as well as American Community Survey data and participation data by zip 

code for state social service and other programs. The Fresno to Bakersfield Draft Supplemental

Community Impact Assessment Technical Report contains a list of environmental justice–related 

interest groups that the Authority has engaged through outreach efforts (Authority and FRA

2017). Spanish-language materials were posted to the website and used to notify the public of 

meetings. Spanish-language interpreters and materials were available at all public information 

meetings. Informational open houses were held in Bakersfield August 25 and November 5, 2015, 

and informational open houses were held in Shafter September 17, 2015 and August 25, 2016. A 

Community Open House was held in the community of Oildale on June 22, 2016. (Further 

discussion of these meetings can be found below in Section 9.3.1 of this Draft Supplemental 

EIR/EIS.) Fliers were delivered or emailed to advertise each open house to several community 

and public spaces serving potentially impacted low-income and minority populations, including 

schools, business groups, and environmental justice groups. For additional information about 

environmental justice, please see Chapter 5.0, Environmental Justice. A summary of the 

consultation with Native American tribes and other Interested Parties with concerns about 

potential effects to cultural resources is documented in Section 3.17 Cultural Resources. Table 

9-1 lists the meetings held as part of the Authority’s outreach effort.
Chapter 9 Public and Agency Involvement

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9.2 Public and Agency Scoping

Although neither CEQA nor NEPA require scoping for a Supplemental EIR/EIS, the Authority 

hosted agency and public meetings and met with affected stakeholders to inform the F-B LGA 

development process. Under CEQA, a Supplemental EIR must fulfill the public notice and review 

requirements of a draft EIR, but not the initial scoping, which has been fulfilled by the previous 

EIR/EIS (California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines 2014 Sections 15163 and 15087). For 

additional information regarding the public and agency scoping process for the Fresno to 

Bakersfield Section, see Section 8.2 of the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final EIR/EIS.

Public and agency scoping conducted for this Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS has involved

stakeholder and agency coordination as listed in Table 9-1. 

Table 9-1 Public and Agency Meetings1

Date of Meeting Meetings Held from March 

2015 to March 2017

Topic

3/5/2015 Kern Council of Government F-B LGA Kick-off Meeting.

4/9/2015 Bakersfield TWG #1 Presentation of alignment alternatives and station 

locations/configuration.

4/10/2015 Shafter TWG #1 Presentation of alignment alternatives and station 

locations/configuration.

4/30/2015 Meeting with USACE and USEPA Provided an introduction of the F-B LGA.

5/7/2015 Shafter Presentation of alignment alternatives and station 

locations/configuration.

5/14/2015 Bakersfield TWG #2 Presentation of alignment alternatives and station 

locations/configuration.

6/2/2015 Halliburton Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

the Halliburton properties.

6/10/2015 Friant Water Authority Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

the Friant Water Authority facilities.

6/11/2015 Bakersfield TWG #3 Presentation of alignment alternatives and station 

locations/configuration.

6/11/2015 Shafter TWG #2 Presentation of alignment alternatives and station 

locations/configuration.

6/22/2015 Schlumberger Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

the Schlumberger property.

7/8/2015 Bidart Brothers/Saco Ranch Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

the Bidart Brothers/Saco Ranch properties.

7/8/2015 South Valley Farms Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

the South Valley Farms properties.

7/9/2015 City of Bakersfield Coordination of ongoing stakeholder outreach and 

community open houses as part of the supplemental 

environmental process for the F-B LGA.

7/9/2015 Bakersfield City School District Provided an introduction of the F-B LGA.

7/9/2015 Bakersfield TWG #4 Presentation of alignment alternatives and station 

locations/configuration.

7/21/2015 USACE, EPA, USFWS, CDFW, RWQCB Presentation of alignment feasibility.

7/22/2015 Bakersfield City School District Follow up discussion to review F-B LGA/May 2014 

Project HSR alignment map.
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Date of Meeting Meetings Held from March 

2015 to March 2017

Topic

7/22/2015 Fairfax School District Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Fairfax School District.

 impacts to 

7/22/2015 North Kern Water Storage District Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the North Kern Water Storage District facilities.

 impacts to 

7/24/2015 City of Bakersfield Coordination of ongoing stakeholder outreach and 

community open houses as part of the supplemental 

environmental process for the F-B LGA.

7/28/2015 Mercado Latino Tianguis (Owner) Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Mercado Latino Tianguis.

 impacts to 

7/29/2015 Beardsley School District Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Beardsley School District.

 impacts to 

7/29/2015 Bakersfield Cotton Warehouse Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Bakersfield Cotton Warehouse property.

 impacts to 

7/29/2015 Titan Cold Storage Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Titan Cold Storage property.

 impacts to 

8/7/2015 City of Bakersfield Coordination of ongoing stakeholder outreach and 

community open houses as part of the supplemental 

environmental process for the F-B LGA.

8/13/2015 Kern High School District Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Kern High School District.

 impacts to 

8/13/2015 Rain for Rent Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Rain for Rent properties.

 impacts to 

8/14/2015 Lennar Homes Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Lennar Homes properties.

 impacts to 

8/14/2015 City of Bakersfield Coordination of ongoing stakeholder outreach and 

community open houses as part of the supplemental 

environmental process for the F-B LGA.

8/19/2015 Sumner Street Businesses Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Sumner Street businesses.

 impacts to 

8/23/2015 El Mercado Latino Tianguis 

Center

– Activity F-B LGA info staffed by Spanish speakers

8/25/2015 Bakersfield Open House Community Open House with displays providing history 

of system wide project, explanation of the NEPA/CEQA

process, environmental issues to be studied, roll out 

maps of proposed F-B LGA, and opportunity to provide 

written comments.

8/28/2015 City of Bakersfield Coordination of ongoing stakeholder outreach and 

community open houses as part of the supplemental 

environmental process for the F-B LGA.

9/17/2015 Shafter Open House Community Open House with displays providing history 

of system wide project, explanation of the NEPA/CEQA

process, environmental issues to be studied, roll out 

maps of proposed F-B LGA, and opportunity to provide 

written comments.

9/18/2015 Colliers International (Veterans 

land developer)

Affairs Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the proposed Veterans Affairs facilities.

 impacts to 
Chapter 9 Public and Agency Involvement

California High-Speed Rail Authority November 2017 

Fresno to Bakersfield Section Page | 9-5 

Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS

Date of Meeting Meetings Held from March 

2015 to March 2017

Topic

10/6/2015 Bakersfield TWG #5 Presentation of alignment alternatives

locations/configuration.

and station 

10/6/2015 Shafter TWG #3 Provide an overview of the Shafter Community Open 

House.

10/20/2015 Bidart Brothers/Saco Ranch Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential 

the Bidart Brothers/Saco Ranch properties.

impacts to 

10/20/2015 Jaco Oil Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Jaco Oil property.

 impacts to 

10/22/2015 City of Bakersfield Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

Weill Park and Section 4(f) park resources.

 impacts to 

10/27/2015 Golden Empire Gleaners Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Golden Empire Gleaners facilities.

 impacts to 

10/27/2015 Halliburton Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and 

the Halliburton properties.

potential impacts to 

10/27/2015 Rain for Rent Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Rain for Rent properties.

 impacts to 

10/30/2015 City of Shafter Coordination for the 11/5/15 community open house.

11/2/2015 City of Bakersfield Coordination for the 11/5/15 community open house.

11/5/2015 Joint FRA/HSR Community Open House Community Open House with displays providing history 

of system wide project, explanation of the NEPA/CEQA

process, environmental issues to be studied, roll out 

maps of proposed F-B LGA, and opportunity to provide 

written comments.

11/5/2015 FRA and City of Bakersfield Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

Weill Park and Section 4(f) park resources.

 impacts to 

11/16/2015 Caltrans District 6 Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

Caltrans facilities.

 impacts to 

11/16/2015 North Kern County Water Storage District Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the North Kern Water Storage District facilities.

 impacts to 

11/17/2015 San Joaquin Valley Pollution Control 

District

Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Bakersfield-Golden Air Monitoring Site.

 impacts to 

11/17/2015 John Giumarra Vineyards Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the John Giumarra Vineyards properties.

 impacts to 

11/19/2015 Kern County Farm Bureau Presentation of the proposed F-B LGA to the Kern 

County Farm Bureau.

1/20/2016 Rotary Club (Diana Gomez) Presentation of the proposed F-B LGA to the Rotary 

Club.

1/21/2016 Premiere Agriculture Properties, LLC Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

the Premiere Agricultural Properties, LLC properties.

1/21/2016 Premiere Farmland Partners IV LP Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

the Premiere Farmland Partners IV LP properties.

1/21/2016 California Water Services Company Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

the California Water Services Company properties.

1/27/2016 Pensinger’s RV Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Pensinger’s RV properties.

 impacts to 
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Date of Meeting Meetings Held from March 

2015 to March 2017

Topic

1/27/2016 Kern County Cemetery District No. 1 Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

the Kern County Cemetery District No. 1 properties.

1/27/2016 Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District.

 impacts to 

1/27/2016 Kern County Water 

District No. 4

Agency Improvement Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

the Kern County Water Agency Improvement District 

No. 4 properties.

1/28/2016 Oildale Mutual Water Company and North 

of the River MWD

Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

the Oildale Mutual Water Company and North of the 

River MWD properties.

1/28/2016 Silo City (Coffee Road) Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Silo City properties.

 impacts to 

1/28/2016 Sun Coast Materials Co Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Sun Coast Materials Co properties.

 impacts to 

2/10/2016 Giumarra Vineyards Corporation Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Giumarra Vineyards Corporation properties.

 impacts to 

2/10/2016 Independent Oil Producers Agency Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

the Independent Oil Producers Agency properties.

2/10/2016 Meadows Field Airport Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Meadows Field Airport properties.

 impacts to 

2/29/2016 Kern County Superintendent for Schools Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Kern County School Districts.

 impacts to 

2/29/2016 Cawelo Water District Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Cawelo Water District properties.

 impacts to 

2/29/2016 The Garlic Company Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Garlic Company properties.

 impacts to 

2/29/2016 Western State Petroleum Association Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Western State Petroleum Association propert

 impacts to 

ies.

3/1/16 Kern County Roads Department Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

Kern County roads.

 impacts to 

3/3/16 Golden Empire Transit Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

Golden Empire Transit facilities/routes.

 impacts to 

4/7/16 Bakersfield TWG #6 Presentation of station location/configuration.

4/8/16 Greater Bakersfield Chamber of 

Commerce

Discuss the proposed F-B LGA.

4/8/16 North Kern Water Storage District Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

North Kern Water Storage District properties.

 impacts to 

4/12/16 Bidart Brothers/Saco Ranch Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

the Bidart Brothers/Saco Ranch properties.

 impacts to 

4/12/16 City of Bakersfield Discuss the F-B LGA as the Preliminary Preferred 

Alternative. 

4/13/16 Steeler Construction Supply Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

Steeler Construction Supply properties.

 impacts to 

4/13/16 Brian Hall Properties Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential

Brian Hall properties.

 impacts to 
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Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS

Date of Meeting Meetings Held from March 

2015 to March 2017

Topic

4/13/16 Shafter Chamber of Commerce Discuss the proposed F-B LGA.

4/20/16 Central Valley Regulatory Agency 

Coordination Meeting

Presentation of the biological resources impacts to 

participating agencies.

4/26/16 City of Bakersfield Discuss the proposed F-B LGA station design.

4/27/16 Shafter TWG #4 Discuss the proposed F-B LGA.

4/27/16 Kern County Roads Department Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

Edison Highway.

4/27/16 City of Bakersfield & Kern County Roads 

Department

Discuss the F-B LGA as the Preliminary Preferred 

Alternative. 

5/2/16 City of Bakersfield and Kern Council of 

Governments

Meeting to discuss the State Rail Planning Efforts.

5/13/16 San Joaquin Valley Contracting 

Procurement & Transportation Conference 

2016 (Kern Minority Contractors 

Association & San Joaquin Valley HSR

Association)

Meeting to discuss HSR employment opportunities.

5/18/16 Central Valley Regulatory Agency 

Coordination Meeting

Presentation of the air quality impacts to participating 

agencies.

5/19/16 Kern Council of Governments Meeting to discuss the F-B LGA.

5/31/16 Kern4HMF Meeting to discuss the potential heavy maintenance 

facility.

5/31/16 City of Bakersfield Discuss the proposed F Street Station design.

6/1/16 Farmland Reserves (South Valley Farms) Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

Farmland Reserves properties.

6/3/16 Kern County Water Agency Improvement 

District No. 4

Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

Kern County Water Agency Improvement District No. 4 

properties.

6/6/16 Kern County Water Agency Improvement 

District No. 4 (Conference call)

Discuss the proposed F-B LGA and potential impacts to 

Kern County Water Agency Improvement District No. 4 

properties.

6/15/16 Central Valley Regulatory Agency 

Coordination Meeting

Presentation of the environmental justice effects to 

participating agencies.

6/16/16 Department of Motor Vehicles Discuss the potential impact to the Department of Motor 

Vehicles site at 3120 F Street.

6/16/16 Caltrans 6 Discuss the potential impact to Caltrans District 6.

6/22/16 Oildale Community Meeting Community Meeting with displays providing history of 

system wide project, explanation of the NEPA/CEQA

process, roll out maps of proposed F-B LGA, and 

opportunity to provide oral and written comments.

6/22/16 Kern County Roads Department Discuss the proposed 7th Standard Road interchange 

configuration.

7/6/16 Bakersfield Homeless Center Discuss the potential impact to the Bakersfield 

Homeless Center.

7/6/16 Kerntown Motel Discuss the potential impact to the Kerntown Motel.
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Date of Meeting Meetings Held from March 

2015 to March 2017

Topic

7/13/16 Shafter TWG #5 Presentation of configuration of F-B LGA and proposed 

roadway network.

7/21/16 Caltrans District 6 Discuss the potential impact to Caltrans District 6.

8/4/16 Caltrans District 6 Discuss the proposed State Route 204 and F Street 

Interchange and 7th Standard Road interchange.

8/10/16 Shafter Farmer’s Market Shafter Activity Center

8/25/16 Shafter Open House Community Open House with displays providing 

proposed revisions to the F-B LGA design.

8/26/16 Kern Delta Water District Coordination with Kern Delta Water District to discuss 

the F-B LGA and potential column placement in the 

vicinity of their property.

8/26/16 City of Bakersfield TWG #7 Meeting with the City of Bakersfield to discuss the F-B 

LGA and schedule.

8/31/16 210 Sumner Street Initial Stakeholder 

Meeting

Coordination with Ayromlou Trust Partners to discuss 

F-B LGA potential impacts to 210 Sumner Street.

9/7/16 Kern County Superintendent of Schools Coordination to discuss the F-B LGA.

9/7/16 Bidart Brothers Discuss potential impacts to the Bidart Brothers 

property from implementation of the F-B LGA.

9/21/16 Kern County Superintendent of Schools Meeting to discuss Valley Oaks Charter School

9/21/16 Golden Empire Transit Meeting to discuss Transit Hub at F Street Station.

10/10/16 Shafter TWG #6 Meeting with City of Shafter to discuss design changes.

11/12/16 Apple Market Activity Center, Shafter Shafter Activity Center

11/15/16 Bidart Brothers (webinar) Discuss potential impacts to the Bidart Brothers 

property from implementation of the F-B LGA.

12/2/16 Bakersfield Christmas Parade Bakersfield Activity Center

1/24/17 Los Amigos Swap Meet and Walmart 

Grocery Activity Center

Bakersfield Activity Center

2/3/17 Apple Market Activity Center, Shafter Shafter Activity Center

2/3/17 First Fridays Art Walk Activity Center, 

Bakersfield

Bakersfield Activity Center

3/3/17 Mercado Latino, Bakersfield Bakersfield Activity Center

3/3/17 First Fridays Art Walk, Bakersfield Bakersfield Activity Center

3/29/17 Shafter Cinco de Mayo Parade Shafter Activity Center

The meetings listed in Table 9-1 are based on meetings held and scheduled as of 3/29/17. 1 Public and agency meetings listed in Table 9-1 focused on the F-B LGA. For a complete list of meetings hosted during the development of the 

entire Fresno to Bakersfield Section, see Table 8-1 of the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final EIR/EIS.

Caltrans = California Department of Transportation

CDFW = California Department of Fish and Wildlife

CEQA = California Environmental Quality Act

EIR/EIS = Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact 

Statement

F-B LGA = Fresno to Bakersfield Locally Generated Alternative

FRA = Federal Railroad Administration

HSR = high-speed rail

MWD = Metropolitan Water District NEPA = National Environmental 

Policy Act

RV = recreational vehicle

RWQCB = Regional Water Quality Control Board

TWG = Technical Working Groups

USACE = United States Army Corps of Engineers

USEPA = United States Environmental Protection Agency

USFWS = United States Fish and Wildlife Service
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9.3 Outreach During the Development of the Draft Supplemental 

Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement

During the development of the Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS, the Authority and the FRA consulted 

with federal, state, and local agencies, and held meetings to provide project updates and obtain 

feedback from the public. The following subsections provide details of these activities.

9.3.1 Public Information Materials and Meetings

The Authority and FRA held informal and formal public 

meetings during the Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

preparation process. Various meeting formats, such as 

open houses, formal presentations, and question and 

comment sessions, were used to present information and 

provide opportunities for input by participants. Project 

information and announcements were posted on the 

Authority’s website. Table 9-1 lists the public meeting 

dates and topics.

Information from Community Open 

Houses Available Online

Community Open House materials available 

at this website include the following:

• F-B LGA Fact Sheet

• F-B LGA Visual Simulations

• Public Meeting Presentations

On August 25, 2015, the Authority and the City of Bakersfield hosted a community open house at 

the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center to provide information to the interested public 

and agencies about the F-B LGA. The community open house provided the community an 

opportunity to ask questions and provide comments about the alignment being studied. 

Approximately 300 interested community members attended the community open house, almost 

one-tenth percent of Bakersfield’s population. 

On September 17, 2015, the Authority hosted a community open house at the Shafter Veterans 

Hall to provide information to the interested public and agencies about the F-B LGA. The 

community open house provided the community an opportunity to ask questions and provide 

comments about the alignment being studied. Approximately 90 interested community members 

attended the community open house, approximately one-half percent of Shafter’s population. 

On November 5, 2015, the Authority and the FRA hosted a community open house at Rabobank 

Arena Convention Center in Bakersfield to provide information about the F-B LGA. The open 

house provided the community an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments about the 

alignment that is subject of this Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS. Over 200 interested community 

members attended the community open house. 

On June 22, 2016, the Authority hosted a community open house at the Riverview Community 

Center-Gymnasium in the community of Oildale. This meeting included a formal presentation by 

the Authority, followed by a question and answer session. A Comments and Jobs Station was 

available, and factsheets were provided in both English and Spanish. Approximately 20 people 

attended, with 11 attendees from within the borders of Oildale and 4 attendees from within a 500-

foot radius of the proposed F-B LGA alignment. 

On August 25, 2016, the Authority hosted a community open house meeting in the city of Shafter 

to present the proposed F-B LGA alignment and the retained fill design feature to gather 

community feedback.

9.3.2 Technical Working Group Meetings

The Authority formed two agency Technical Working Groups composed of senior staff from the 

cities of Shafter and Bakersfield, Kern County, and Kern Council of Governments. The purpose of 

these groups was to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas during the course of the 

study. The Technical Working Groups met regularly during the Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS 

preparation process to facilitate information exchanges about modifications to alignments and the 

HSR station, and identify potential resource impacts and avoidance alternatives. The Technical 

Working Groups meetings helped transfer information needs, express concerns and preferences, 

and relay important project updates. Table 9-1 lists the Technical Working Groups meeting dates 

and topics.
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9.3.3 Agency Meetings and Consultation

The Authority and FRA consulted with cooperating agencies (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. 

Bureau of Reclamation, and the Surface Transportation Board) under NEPA and with trustee and 

responsible agencies under CEQA regarding specific resource areas associated with these 

agencies. Interested state, federal, and local agencies were also consulted throughout the 

process. For additional discussion of the agencies meetings conducted for the Fresno to 

Bakersfield Section, see Section 8.4 of the Fresno to Bakersfield Section Final EIR/EIS. 

On April 30, 2015, the Authority and FRA provided an overview of the conceptual F-B LGA to the 

United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 

On July 21, 2015, the Authority and FRA provided a feasibility presentation to the United States 

Army Corps of Engineers and United States Environmental Protection Agency. The PowerPoint 

presentation included a summary of the proposed facilities along the F-B LGA and of steps taken 

to design the alternative in an effort to avoid impacts to specific resources. The presentation also 

included a discussion on stakeholders who had been consulted to date.

Agency coordination meetings took place May 13, May 27, June 10, August 19, September 30, 

October 28, 2015, February 17, March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, September 21, and

October 19, 2016. Each meeting included discussion and updates on Project sections, including 

the Fresno to Bakersfield section, as well as permitting, implementation, and compliance issues. 

Members of the Authority, FRA, and cooperating and trustee/regulatory agencies were in 

attendance and provided progress information and feedback.

9.3.3.1 Aesthetic Treatment Outreach

The Authority and FRA conducted outreach regarding aesthetic treatment of the HSR project and 

station with the cities of Bakersfield and Shafter, as well as Kern County, during Technical 

Working Group meetings with those parties. This outreach effort is ongoing as the project 

develops. 

9.4 Notification and Circulation of the Draft Supplemental 

Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement

Notice regarding the availability and the circulation of this Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS was 

provided pursuant to CEQA and NEPA requirements in both English and Spanish. The Authority

published an announcement in newspapers with general circulation in areas potentially affected 

by the proposed project. The Authority’s announcement indicated the availability of the time and 

location of workshops, public hearings, where the document could be viewed, and public 

comment period. The Authority strategically placed the notice in a well-read section to encourage 

maximum notification. A letter, informational brochure, and Notice of Availability were made 

available in English and Spanish and mailed to property owners and tenants within a 300-foot 

buffer to all permanent impacts associated with the alignment as well as any stakeholders that 

had requested to be kept informed. The Authority also sent e-mail advising of the availability of 

the document for public review. A notice of completion indicating the availability of the Draft 

Supplemental EIR/EIS was filed with the State Clearinghouse and sent to state agencies. The 

United States Environmental Protection Agency published a notice of availability for the Draft 

Supplemental EIR/EIS in the Federal Register on September 29, 2017. 

The Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS was circulated among federal, state, and local agencies, 

regional transportation agencies, and organizations and persons who have expressed an interest 

in the project. The Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS is available on the Authority and FRA’s websites 

and on DVD upon request. Public hearing dates and locations also were posted on the Authority’s 

website. A distribution list for the Draft Supplemental EIR/EIS is provided in Chapter 10, List of 

Recipients.